U.S. patent application number 13/249278 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-05 for asymmetric open-access wheel chair.
Invention is credited to Stephen C. Golden, JR..
Application Number | 20120169026 13/249278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46380077 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120169026 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Golden, JR.; Stephen C. |
July 5, 2012 |
ASYMMETRIC OPEN-ACCESS WHEEL CHAIR
Abstract
An asymmetric wheelchair is disclosed having a forward wheel
assembly with a forward wheel support on one side of the wheelchair
leaving an opening for ease of access on the other side. The
asymmetric wheelchair can, in some embodiments, be formed by
connecting an asymmetric forward wheel support to the frame of an
existing symmetric wheelchair.
Inventors: |
Golden, JR.; Stephen C.;
(Menasha, WI) |
Family ID: |
46380077 |
Appl. No.: |
13/249278 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12983264 |
Dec 31, 2010 |
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13249278 |
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61505487 |
Jul 7, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/250.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G 5/10 20130101; A61G
5/1054 20161101; A61G 5/1089 20161101; A61G 5/128 20161101; A61G
5/12 20130101; A61G 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/250.1 |
International
Class: |
A61G 5/02 20060101
A61G005/02 |
Claims
1. An asymmetric wheelchair with opposing first and second sides
comprising: (a) a forward wheel assembly comprising a forward
wheel; (b) opposing drive wheels on the respective first and second
sides; (c) a primary frame comprising opposing first and second
sides, a cross member joining the first and second sides of the
frame, a drive wheel assembly connected to the opposing drive
wheels, and forward wheels connected to a forward frame element
having a first and second side; (d) an asymmetric forward wheel
support connected to the first side of the primary frame, extending
substantially along the first side of the wheelchair and connected
to the forward wheel assembly; and (e) a seat attached to the frame
and disposed between the first and second sides of the frame;
wherein the asymmetric forward wheel support leaves an unobstructed
opening between the primary frame and the forward wheel assembly
adapted for a user to pass through while transferring into or out
of the wheelchair.
2. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the forward wheel
assembly comprises a pivotable caster.
3. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 2, wherein the primary frame
is substantially symmetric.
4. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 3, wherein the first side of
the primary frame comprises a descending support to which the
forward wheel assembly is attached with an adjustable
attachment.
5. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 4, wherein the adjustable
attachment comprises one or more quick-release clamps that secure
the position of the forward wheel support relative to the primary
frame.
6. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 5, wherein the forward wheel
support comprises a tubular member and a locking pin, and wherein
the adjustable attachment comprises a mounting block having a first
opening to receive the tubular member of the forward wheel support
and a second opening to receive the locking pin of the forward
wheel support.
7. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 1, wherein the unobstructed
opening has a horizontal span of at least 20 cm between the front
edge of the seat closest to the second side of the frame and the
forward wheel assembly at any vertical location along the forward
wheel assembly.
8. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the distance from
the foremost part of the second side of the frame and the rear of
the forward wheel when the wheel is oriented for forward travel is
at least 20 cm.
9. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the distance from
the foremost part of the second side of the frame to the rear of
the forward wheel when the wheel is oriented for forward travel is
substantially unobstructed and is at least one-fourth the distance
of the first side of the frame to the second side of the frame.
10. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the forward wheel
support comprises one or more curved beams joining the forward
wheel assembly to the frame.
11. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the forward wheel
support comprises adjustable attachments connecting it to the
frame.
12. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 11 wherein the adjustable
attachments comprise at least one locking hinge.
13. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 11 wherein each adjustable
attachment comprises a release for removing the forward wheel
support from the frame.
14. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 1, further comprising a foot
rest attached to the primary frame and remote from the forward
wheel, such that a clearance of at least 20 cm extends between the
foot rest and the forward wheel.
15. The asymmetric wheelchair of claim 1 wherein the forward wheel
support comprises an elastomeric engaging surface that contacts a
portion of the primary frame, and further comprises quick-release
clamps to rigidly engage the elastomeric engaging surface against
the portion of the primary frame to rigidly attach the forward
wheel support.
16. A method of enabling a wheelchair user to modify an existing
wheelchair to have an asymmetric forward wheel assembly, the
existing wheelchair comprising a first side and a second side, rear
wheels, forward wheels, a primary frame connected to the rear
wheels and the forward wheels, the primary frame having a forward
portion having a first forward side and a second forward side, the
method comprising: (a) providing a forward wheel support having a
forward end attached to a forward wheel assembly and a rear end,
the forward wheel assembly comprising a forward wheel; the rear end
comprising a removable attachment for connecting to the primary
frame, such that when attached to the primary frame, an asymmetric
wheelchair is created; and (b) providing instructions to the user
regarding attachment of the forward wheel support to either the
first or second forward side of the forward portion of the primary
frame to provide an asymmetric wheelchair.
17. A forward wheel assembly adapted for attachment to the frame of
a wheelchair to convert the wheelchair into an asymmetric
wheelchair with a forward wheel, the forward wheel assembly
comprising a forward wheel support, a releasable attachment device
adapted to connect a first end of the forward wheel support to the
frame of the wheelchair, and a caster comprising a forward wheel
attached to a second end of the forward wheel.
18. The forward wheel assembly of claim 17, wherein the forward
wheel support is nonlinear and defines an angle of curvature from
the first end thereof to the second end thereof of at least five
degrees.
19. The forward wheel support of claim 17, further comprising at
least one attached ring with an indexing pin.
20. The forward wheel support of claim 17, wherein the releasable
attachment device comprises a quick-release clamp.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Appl. Ser. No. 61/505487, "Asymmetric Open-Access Wheel Chair,"
filed Jul. 7, 2011, and is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/983264, filed Dec. 31, 2010, both of which
are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to wheelchairs, related devices, and
methods for use, particularly for transportation.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] For individuals with partial or complete impairment of motor
function as a result of spinal cord injury, spina bifida, multiple
sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or stroke, the wheelchair
is commonly an essential means of daily mobility. Two important
challenges are faced by the wheelchair user in order to
successfully get around in his or her environment: The act of
getting oneself into the wheelchair, also termed "transferring,"
and the safe negotiation of indoor and outdoor surfaces alike. The
act of transferring one's body into or out of a wheelchair presents
a situation that often involves physical strain and awkward
positioning of the arms, hands, feet, legs and torso; for many
users who might wish to transfer into or out of a wheelchair with
respect to a variety of different surfaces, this can severely limit
the scope of physical activity. Experienced wheelchair users may
wish to transfer to or from a wheelchair with respect to the
ground, such as the grass at a park or a sandy beach, and this can
be especially difficult even with the assistance of another person.
The means of enjoying these locations is further precluded by the
insufficiency of most wheelchairs to traverse these types of
surfaces with safety and ease. There is a need for wheelchairs
offering improved ease of transfer and which are suitable for
traversing the broad range of surfaces encountered in the
outdoors.
[0006] A wide variety of wheelchair designs are known, including
wheelchairs with a single forward wheel such as three-wheel
wheelchairs with relatively large forward wheels. Such wheelchairs
can offer advantages in traversing rugged terrain, but present
barriers to transferring due to the support structures holding the
forward wheel in place. There is a need for rugged all-terrain
wheelchairs whose support structures are minimally obstructive,
thereby offering improved transferring into and out of the
wheelchair.
[0007] Conventional wheelchairs, sometimes referred to as
"cantilever" style wheelchairs, have relatively small forward
wheels typically positioned laterally and rearward relative to the
leading edge of the footrest of the wheelchair. This type of
wheelchair offers the best scenario in terms of access for
transferring and it may be suitable for smooth flooring and
pavement but is generally unsuitable for rugged terrain. Previous
attempts to make conventional wheelchairs useful on rugged terrain
suffer from a variety of design challenges which can limit
stability and reduce safety on very rough ground, and which may
limit the overall maneuverability of the wheelchair. For users
requiring stable performance on rugged terrain, there is a need for
an improved wheelchair configuration.
[0008] There is a need for wheelchairs that are sufficiently robust
for performance on rugged outdoor terrain yet are also lightweight,
highly maneuverable and reasonably compact to allow the user to
successfully negotiate tighter spaces indoors such as doorways,
bathroom facilities, garages and elevators.
[0009] Even on presumably safe surfaces such as sidewalks,
wheelchair users learn that they must be constantly vigilant about
the upcoming surfaces since bumps, small objects, or other
obstacles can cause a moving wheelchair to tip or cause the user to
be propelled out of the wheelchair. There is a need for more robust
wheelchairs that can remain stable and safe in spite of unevenness
in the surfaces over which the wheelchair user must traverse.
[0010] Improved wheelchair designs and methods have been devised
which may address one or more of these aforementioned weaknesses or
other weaknesses in the prior art. Such weaknesses, however, are
mentioned here only for illustrative background purposes. The
embodiments hereafter described, while typically addressing one or
more weaknesses in the prior art, need not directly or indirectly
address all or any of the aforementioned weaknesses in the prior
art to be within the scope of the various embodiments hereafter
claimed. Further, any advantages stated or apparently inherent to
any of the embodiments described hereafter are not intended as
limitations that must necessarily be found in any or all aspects of
the invention.
SUMMARY
[0011] An asymmetric wheelchair has been developed which employs a
single forward wheel connected by an asymmetric support structure
to a seat and rear wheel assembly, wherein the asymmetric support
structure extends along a first side of the wheelchair while the
opposing side of the wheelchair defines an unobstructed opening
between the seat and the single forward wheel adapted for a user to
pass through while transferring into or out of the wheelchair. In
some embodiments, an existing wheelchair with a substantially
symmetric frame is modified by the addition of an asymmetric
forward wheel support that attaches to a forward side of the
substantially symmetric frame. The forward wheel support holds a
forward wheel assembly with a rigid structure along one side of the
wheelchair, leaving the opposing side relatively open for good ease
of access. The added forward wheel support may be removable and
may, for example, comprise quick release connections to allow the
forward wheel assembly to be readily removable or easy to install.
When installed, the forward wheel assembly can share in load
bearing with other forward wheels on the existing wheelchair or may
be adapted to remove the load from the forward wheels and be the
primary forward load bearing structure. In some embodiments, the
forward wheels of the existing wheelchair may be detached from the
frame.
[0012] The attachment to the forward side may be attached to a
descending support of the frame. As used herein, a "descending
support" can be any suitable structural element of the frame
spanning a vertical distance between upper and lower elements of
the frame, typified by the foremost roughly vertical beams in
wheelchair frames that descend from the seat and/or arm rest
regions toward the foot support region or other lower cross
beams.
[0013] In one embodiment, asymmetric wheelchair is disclosed having
opposing first and second sides, the wheelchair comprising:
[0014] (a) a forward wheel assembly comprising a forward wheel;
[0015] (b) opposing drive wheels on the respective first and second
sides;
[0016] (c) an asymmetric frame comprising opposing first and second
sides each respectively proximal to (or generally corresponding to)
the first and second sides of the wheelchair, a cross member
joining the first and second sides of the frame, a drive wheel
assembly connected to the opposing drive wheels, and an asymmetric
forward wheel support extending substantially along the first side
of the wheelchair and connected to the forward wheel assembly;
and
[0017] (d) a seat attached to the frame and disposed between the
first and second sides of the frame;
[0018] wherein the asymmetric forward wheel support leaves an
unobstructed opening directed toward the second side of the
wheelchair between the seat and the forward wheel assembly adapted
for a user to pass through while transferring into or out of the
wheelchair.
[0019] The forward wheel support may be connected by a removable
and/or adjustable connection that may, for example, comprise quick
release connections known, for example, in the bicycle art, and may
comprise elastomeric or other deformable surfaces to contact the
frame of the existing wheelchair to enhance the grip while
permitting adjustability of the positioning of the forward wheel
support. In one embodiment, a rubber or elastomeric sleeve
encircles a portion of the existing wheelchair frame and a clamp
such as the clamping mechanism in quick-release connectors clamps
down on the sleeve when the forward wheel assembly is positioned in
a desired orientation, thereby securing the forward wheel assembly
while also allowing for rapid adjustment of position when desired
by releasing the clamping force to permit relative motion of the
forward wheel support. Any known quick-release systems may be used
such as those known in the bicycle arts. Including those of
manufacturers such as Campagnolo (Italy), XJ (China), or Ningbo
Yisheng Bicycle Co. (Japan).
[0020] In one related embodiment, the forward wheel support
comprises at least one arm such as a metal tubular beam that is
bent or angled to provide at least about 5 degrees of curvature
(e.g., the tangent at a first end of the beam defines an acute
angle of at least 5 degree or more relative to the tangent at the
second end of the beam), or at least about 10 degrees, such as from
about 5 degrees to about 20 degrees, or from about 8 degree to
about 16 degrees. In related embodiments, the arm has a first end
and an opposing second end with an angle of curvature defined
between the two ends. The angle of curvature may be 5 degrees or
more, such as from 5 to 15 degrees.
[0021] In one embodiment, a method is provided for rapid
installation and removal of the removable forward wheel support.
The method comprises temporarily elevating the forward wheels of
the existing wheelchair such that they are no longer load bearing.
This can be done, for example, by placing a support under the front
portion of the wheelchair, such as blocks that are placed under a
footrest or other forward structural elements. The blocks or other
elevating means can be provided as part of a kit, if desired, with
the forward wheel assembly. Alternatively, a lever or other lifting
mechanism may be activated to deliver sufficient upward force on
the forward part of the frame to lift the wheelchair. Once the
forward portion of the wheelchair is elevated, the asymmetric
forward wheel support can be added to a side forward portion of the
frame of the existing wheelchair, such that the wheel of the
forward wheel assembly attached to the forward wheel support is
suitably positioned as desired in a forward relationship to the
frame of the existing wheelchair. The support structure such as
blocks can then be removed and may be stored in a bag or
compartment that also may be used to carry the forward wheel
support when not in use. Also alternatively, the forward part of
the wheelchair may be proximate to a ledge, step, or other
structure providing clearance for attaching a forward wheel
assembly while the existing forward wheels are on the ground
bearing load, wherein once the wheelchair is suitably situated
relative to the structure, the forward wheel support may be readily
attached before positioned such that the attached forward wheel
bears load.
[0022] In a related embodiment, the asymmetric wheelchair has
opposing first and second sides and comprises: [0023] (a) a forward
wheel assembly comprising a forward wheel; [0024] (b) opposing
drive wheels on the respective first and second sides; [0025] (c) a
primary frame comprising opposing first and second sides, a cross
member joining the first and second sides of the frame, a drive
wheel assembly connected to the opposing drive wheels, and forward
wheels connected to a forward frame element having a first and
second side; [0026] (d) an asymmetric forward wheel support
connected to the first side of the primary frame, extending
substantially along the first side of the wheelchair and connected
to the forward wheel assembly; and [0027] (e) a seat attached to
the frame and disposed between the first and second sides of the
frame; [0028] wherein the asymmetric forward wheel support leaves
an unobstructed opening between the primary frame and the forward
wheel assembly adapted for a user to pass through while
transferring into or out of the wheelchair.
[0029] The primary frame in such embodiments may be substantially
symmetric and may be the frame of conventional or other existing
wheelchairs. In related methods within the scope of the present
invention, an existing substantially symmetric wheelchair frame (a
primary frame) is converted to an asymmetric wheelchair with a
forward wheel support by attaching the forward wheel support to one
side of the substantially symmetric wheelchair frame. The
attachment may be adjustable and may comprise a mounting block that
attaches to the primary frame with mounting elements such as
quick-release clamps and receives one or more elements from a
forward wheel support for secure attachment. Quick release clamps
or other means may be used to secure the forward wheel support in
the attachment.
[0030] Regarding the opening that is provided between forward wheel
assembly and the remaining portions of the frame, the extent of the
opening may be considered in terms of the horizontal distance as
seen in plan view between the front edge of the seat closest to the
second side of the frame and the rearmost portion of the forward
wheel assembly or the rearmost portion of the forward wheel itself.
That horizontal distance may be about 20 cm or more or about 30 cm
or more, or may correspond to at least about one-half of the
maximum width of the seat or at least about one-half of the width
of the frame as measured by distance between the outer first side
and the outer second side of the frame. Further, the distance from
the foremost part of the second side of the frame to the rear of
the forward wheel when the wheel is oriented for forward travel can
be substantially unobstructed and may be at least one-fourth the
distance of the first side of the frame to the second side of the
frame.
[0031] In another embodiment, a method is provided to enable a
wheelchair user to modify an existing wheelchair to have an
asymmetric forward wheel assembly, the existing wheelchair
comprising a first side and a second side, rear wheels, forward
wheels, a primary frame connected to the rear wheels and the
forward wheels, the primary frame having a forward portion having a
first forward side and a second forward side, the method
comprising:
[0032] (a) providing a forward wheel support having a forward end
attached to a forward wheel assembly and a rear end, the forward
wheel assembly comprising a forward wheel; the rear end comprising
a removable attachment for connecting to the primary frame, such
that when attached to the primary frame, an asymmetric wheelchair
is created; and
[0033] (b) providing instructions to the user regarding attachment
of the forward wheel support to either the first or second forward
side of the forward portion of the primary frame to provide an
asymmetric wheelchair.
[0034] The aforementioned method can be used to enable a user to
rapidly convert a conventional wheelchair having two forward
casters (front casers) into an asymmetric wheelchair of the present
invention. The instructions provided to the user can be delivered
by any known means, such as printed directions, graphical displays
or other indicia on or associated with the wheelchair, verbal
directions, and the like.
[0035] In another embodiment, an asymmetric wheelchair is disclosed
comprising:
[0036] (a) a forward wheel assembly comprising a caster,
[0037] (b) a frame assembly having a front, opposing first and
second sides, and a longitudinal central vertical plane passing
between the first and second sides, comprising: [0038] i. a first
side member having a first drive wheel support, [0039] ii. a second
side member having a second drive wheel support and a front, [0040]
iii. a cross member joining the first side member to the second
side member, [0041] iv. a forward wheel support connected to the
frame (e.g., attached to one of the first and second side members
of the frame) extending forward substantially beyond the front of
the first side member, the forward wheel support being connected to
the forward wheel assembly and being asymmetric relative to the
longitudinal central plane of the frame assembly, such that a
substantial opening is provided between the second side member and
the forward wheel assembly in contrast to the obstruction provided
by the forward wheel support between the first side member and the
forward wheel assembly, and
[0042] (c) first and second drive wheels attached, respectively, to
the first and second drive wheel supports of the frame
assembly.
[0043] As used herein, a "descending support" can be any suitable
structural element of the frame spanning a vertical distance
between upper and lower elements of the frame, typified by the
foremost roughly vertical beams in wheelchair frames that descend
from the seat and/or arm rest regions toward the foot support
region or other lower cross beams.
[0044] The opening provided between the seat and the forward wheel
assembly may have a horizontal span of at least 20 cm, 30 cm, 50
cm, or 70 cm at any vertical elevation. The opening may be
expressed in terms of the width of the wheelchair's frame or seat
to better to accommodate the range of wheelchair sizes known in the
art. Thus, the horizontal space between the front edge of the seat
and either of the rearmost portion of the forward wheel assembly or
the rearmost portion of the forward wheel may correspond to at
least one half of the frame width, taken as the distance from the
outside of the first side of the frame to the outside of the
opposing second side of the frame), or it may correspond to at
least about one half of the maximum seat width (the greatest width
of the seat). For a wheelchair designated as having a seat width of
40 cm, for example, the opening provided between the seat and the
forward wheel assembly in plan view may have a horizontal span of
at least 20 cm, and may be 30 cm, 50 cm, or even 70 cm at any
vertical elevation, such as from about 20 cm to 100 cm or from 25
cm to 75 cm. The asymmetric wheelchair may further comprise a back
support attached to the frame assembly and a foot support attached
to the frame assembly.
[0045] Unlike known three-wheeled wheelchairs with generally
symmetric supports extending from the sides of the frame and/or
central supports extending along the centerline of the wheelchair
between the seat region and a third wheel, the present wheelchair
provides an asymmetric design that leaves a substantial opening
along one side of the structure through which a typical user can
pass in the course of entering or exiting from the wheelchair. In
some embodiments, the central forward region between the forward
wheel and the main body of the frame (e.g., the seat support and
adjacent structures, excluding the forward wheel support) is free
of rigid support elements connecting the forward wheel to the main
frame such that user can pass through the forward central region in
the process of entering or exiting from the wheelchair. In some
embodiments, the extent of the opening between the forward wheel
assembly and the side of the seat opposite the side along which the
forward wheel support extends is at least 50% of the width of the
seat, more specifically at least about 70% of the width of the
seat, and most specifically at least about 100% of the width of the
seat. Seat widths can be any suitable width, but may, for example,
range from 20 cm to 100 cm such as from about 30 cm to about 60 cm.
Alternatively, the breadth of the opening between the forward wheel
assembly and the side of the seat opposite the side along which the
forward wheel support extends may be at least about any of the
following: 20 cm, 40 cm, 60 cm, 80 cm, 100 cm, and 120 cm. In some
embodiments, the stated clearance may be found at all vertical
elevations, such that, for example, a person of any height could
stand in the opening between the seat and the forward wheel
assembly due to the asymmetric placement of the forward wheel
support. However, it is also recognized that an asymmetric
wheelchair according to various embodiments may have additional
elements present such as an overhead covering to protect against
sun or rain, other decorative or functional elements, and the like,
while still leaving a useful opening between the forward wheel and
the seat on a side opposite the asymmetric forward wheel support.
It is also recognized that the forward wheel support element need
not take a simple, direct path from first side of the wheelchair
toward the forward wheel assembly, but may follow more complex
paths provided that an opening is maintained on one side of the
wheel chair between the region of the seat or immediately in front
of the seat and the forward wheel assembly.
[0046] Many elements of conventional wheelchairs and principles of
constructing the frame, drive wheel assemblies, and other
components may be adapted for use in the present asymmetric
wheelchair. For example, the drive wheel assemblies and related
frame elements of U.S. Pat. No. 7,520,518, "Wheelchair," issued
Apr. 21, 2009 to Peterson and Cerreto, herein incorporated by
reference to the extent that it is noncontradictory herewith, may
be of use. Other patents describing various components of
wheelchairs can be adapted for use with the asymmetric wheelchair
described herein, including those cited herein.
[0047] In some embodiments, known wheelchairs such as cantilevered
wheelchairs with opposing forward casters or other designs may be
retrofitted or otherwise converted into asymmetric wheelchairs with
a forward wheel assembly supported by a forward wheel support
extending from only one side of the wheelchair to leave an opening
along the other side between the frame and the forward wheel
assembly to facilitate transfer into or out of the wheelchair. For
a generally symmetric wheelchair comprising a frame having first
and second sides, opposing drive wheels attached to the first and
second sides of the frame, and opposing forward casters attached to
the first and second sides of the frame, a method of converting the
symmetric wheelchair to an asymmetric wheelchair may comprise
asymmetrically attaching a forward wheel support to the first side
of the frame, the forward wheel support being connected to a
forward wheel assembly comprising a caster, wherein the
asymmetrically attached forward wheel support leaves a substantial
opening between the second side of the frame and the forward wheel
assembly. The forward wheel support may be at least one of
removably or adjustably attached to the frame, or it may be
permanently attached (e.g., by welding). Removable or adjustable
attachment means may include releasable clamps, attachment plates
with bolts or other locking means, locking hinges, screw-on
attachments, snap-on connectors, etc. Tubes or rods that fit into
existing hollow beams in the frame of the symmetric wheelchair may
also be use to attach the forward wheel support to the frame.
Locks, snaps, latches, and other means may be used to securely
attach the beams or rods of the forward wheel support that may fit
inside beams, tubes, or other openings or receptacles in the
symmetric wheelchair. Combinations of attachment means may be used.
The converted asymmetric wheelchair may then have a substantial
opening between the second side of the frame and the forward wheel
assembly, and may, for example, have a horizontal extent of at
least 20 cm at any elevation.
[0048] The frame of the wheelchair may be made of any suitable
material such as tubing including cylindrical, oval, or rectangular
tubing in cross section. Beams of any cross section may be used.
Metal may be used for all or part of the frame, such as aluminum,
magnesium, steel, titanium, tungsten, or alloys thereof or of any
other useful metals. Load-bearing elements and other portions of
the frame may also be made of plastics, wood, composites such as
fiber-reinforced resins, wood laminates, carbon fiber composites,
fiberglass, nanocomposites, honeycomb panels, and the like. Side
portions, seat supports and other elements of the frame in various
embodiments may be substantially open (e.g., having significant
open space between tubing or beams providing structural elements)
or may be substantially closed such as solid composite boards or
panels.
[0049] The frame may be rigid or foldable. Locking hinges or other
locking elements may be used to provide foldable embodiments in
which the forward wheel support or other elements can fold to
reduce the space occupied by the wheelchair for transporting in a
vehicle, storage, etc. Foldable frames may include locking hinges
or other locking elements such as those used in the Activator.TM.
wheelchair of Mobility Vision (Dublin, Ireland); the Varilock.TM.
hinges or the Infinilok.TM. hinges of Adjustable Locking
Technologies, LLC (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.); or the systems
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,779, "Angularly
Adjustable Coupling," issued Jun. 12, 2001 to M. Slasinski; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,586,363, "Indexing Hinge," issued Dec. 24, 1996 to J. M.
Fanuzzi; U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,999, "Adjustable Rotary Unlocking
Apparatus," issued Nov. 25, 1997 to R. A. Wiley et al.; United
States patent; U.S. Pat. No. 3,679,257, "Foldable Wheel Chair,"
issued Jul. 25, 1972 to Jacuzzi et al.; and U.S. Pat. No.
4,770,432, "Wheelchair," issued Sep. 13, 1988 to K. E. Wagner (a
patent which also discusses the use of panels as structural
elements for a frame); all of which are herein incorporated by
reference to the extent that they are noncontradictory herewith.
Such locking hinges or other locking elements may also be
incorporated in various embodiments other than folding wheelchairs,
and may be used, for example, to allow one or more components of
the asymmetric wheelchair to be adjustable in position. Thus, for
example, a locking hinge or adjustable coupling may be used to
adjust the position of the forward wheel assembly by adjusting the
length of the forward wheel support that extends in front of the
seat or in front of the foot support. For example, the forward
wheel support may be mounted to a side of the frame by a slidably
adjustable coupling with pins or other locking elements to secure
the forward wheel support rigidly in place at a desired position.
Hollow receiving tubes in the frame, for example, may be used to
receive the forward wheel support in a slidably adjustable
relationship.
[0050] An adjustable coupling or locking hinge may also be used, in
some embodiments, to adjust the position of the forward wheel
assembly relative to the longitudinal centerline of the asymmetric
wheelchair by adjusting the path (i.e., the inward deviation
relative to the first side of the frame) of the forward wheel
support. Thus, an adjustable coupling may provide for a selection
of two or more positions of the forward wheel assembly relative to
the longitudinal centerline of the wheelchair, such that the
forward wheel assembly can be adjusted to be in the vertical plane
of the longitudinal centerline or offset laterally from the
centerline, if desired.
[0051] Likewise, the forward wheel support may be unitary with the
frame or may be attached via adjustable couplings, or may comprise
one or more locking hinges to permit folding of the frame into a
compact form for ease of transport or storage.
[0052] The forward wheel can be any known wheel system compatible
with a wheelchair having a forward wheel. Wheels may have a center
rotating hub or bearing and a compliant material on its outer
periphery such as rubber, neoprene, urethane, or related
elastomeric compounds. Wheels may be pneumatic (e.g., filled with
air, nitrogen, or other gases), filled with a foam, filled with a
liquid or slurry, or may be semi-pneumatic, solid, or the like. A
wheel may be supported from one or both sides of an axle through
the wheel or by any other suitable means. The forward wheel
assembly may comprise only one wheel or two or more wheels.
[0053] In many embodiments, the forward wheel assembly comprises a
caster. A caster wheel is generally understood to be a wheel in
which the wheel's axle (which defines its axis of rotation) is
mounted to a wheel mount, which is pivotable about a vertical pivot
axis, with the wheel's axle offset horizontally from the wheel
mount's pivot axis. This geometry provides a stable arrangement in
which the wheel's axle will tend to trail the pivot axis when a
horizontal motive force is applied to the mount, the axle tending
to align perpendicularly to the direction of motion such that the
wheel itself is generally aligned with the direction of motion. The
pivot axis may be defined by a swivel joint that allows the wheel
mount to swivel. The swivel joint may allow 360-degree rotation or
may limit the scope of rotation about the pivot axis to some
predetermined range. The swivel joint may be dampened or controlled
in various ways to reduce caster flutter at elevated speeds.
[0054] In a caster, the wheel may be mounted to a fork, with
opposing fork elements on both sides of the wheel attached to the
hub of the heel. The wheel may also be mounted at the side of the
wheel without the need for a fork to descend on both sides of a
wheel. For example, a wheel mount may be joined to a double wheel
with a wheel on both sides of a central wheel support, as shown,
for example, in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,718, "Caster Assembly
with Automatic Swivel Lock/Unlock," issued May 21, 1996 to A. E.
Eichhorn, herein incorporated by reference to the extent that it is
noncontradictory herewith. Thus, a forward wheel assembly can
comprise a double wheel or a plurality of wheels or rollers, if
desired. Double or compound wheels may be used, as well as
spherical wheels (an omni-directional wheel). Complex compound
wheels may be used such as a Mecanum wheel, also known as a Swedish
wheel or lion wheel, made of a large hub with many additional
smaller wheels mounted along the perimeter such that their axes are
perpendicular to the central wheel, such as the wheel described in
U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,255, "Wheels for a Course Stable
Self-Propelling Vehicle Movable in Any Desired Direction on the
Ground or Some Other Base," issued to B. E. Hon, Apr. 8, 1975,
herein incorporated by reference to the extent that it is
noncontradictory herewith. The forward wheel assembly itself may be
substantially symmetrical or asymmetrical
[0055] The drive wheels (rear wheels) of the wheelchair may be of
any known design and may be solid, pneumatic, semi-pneumatic, foam
filled, and the like. They may be of any width, made of any
suitable material, with any suitable tread, and may have a
secondary rim for ease of gripping. They may be cambered on
individual axes that attach to a camber tube connected to the
frame, or they may be free of camber. As used herein, "camber"
refers to the angle of the plane of the wheel relative to vertical.
If the top of the wheel is farther out than the bottom (that is,
away from the axle), it is called positive camber; if the bottom of
the wheel is farther out than the top, it is called negative
camber. Negative camber is often used in wheelchairs for athletic
purposes, for example, with an absolute magnitude of from about 1
to about 20 degrees, for example, though camber need not be
present.
[0056] Drive wheels may also be fully manual, fully motorized, have
motor assist, or have gears or other mechanical or electrical
systems to assist in driving them. For example, the Wijit.RTM. by
Superquad Corp. (Granite Bay, Calif.) may be attached to one or
both wheels to allow leveraged driving and braking by manual force
applied to the lever arms of the Wijit.RTM.. Further information is
provided in U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,729, "Wheelchair Driver and Braking
System," issued Nov. 23, 1993 to Watwood and Armstrong, herein
incorporated by reference to the extent that it is noncontradictory
herewith. An example of a drive motor attached to a wheelchair is
discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,651,103, "Wheelchair," issued Feb. 9,
2007 to M. Peridon, herein incorporated by reference to the extent
that it is noncontradictory herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] FIG. 1 depicts a view of one embodiment of the asymmetrical
wheelchair.
[0058] FIG. 2 depicts selected elements of an asymmetrical
wheelchair.
[0059] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of one embodiment of an asymmetric
wheelchair with a forward wheel assembly connected to one side of a
frame.
[0060] FIG. 4 depicts a wheelchair with an alternative layout for
the forward wheel support.
[0061] FIG. 5 depicts an asymmetric wheelchair with a removable or
adjustable forward wheel support.
[0062] FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of an asymmetric
wheelchair.
[0063] FIG. 7 depicts a mounting assembly for receiving the pivot
rod of a caster for the forward wheel assembly.
[0064] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
asymmetric wheelchair with a removable forward wheel support
attached to the frame of an existing symmetrical wheelchair.
[0065] FIGS. 9A and 9B display details of the connection joining
the forward wheel support and the frame of an existing symmetrical
wheelchair.
[0066] FIG. 10 displays a portion of an embodiment of the
asymmetric wheelchair of the present invention.
[0067] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
asymmetric wheelchair of the present invention in which the forward
wheel assembly can held under the seat of the wheelchair when not
in use.
[0068] FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the asymmetric
wheelchair.
[0069] FIG. 13 shows details of one embodiment of an articulation
block connecting the primary frame of a wheelchair to a forward
wheel support.
[0070] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of
an asymmetric wheelchair of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0071] FIG. 1 depicts a wheelchair 20 comprising a frame 22,
opposing first and second drive wheels 30A, 30B, connected to the
frame 22 via drive wheel assemblies 32A, 32B retaining an axle tube
34 for receiving projecting portions (not shown) of the axles 38A,
38B extending from the respective hubs 36A, 36B of the drive wheels
30A, 30B. The frame 22 further comprises first side 26A and a
second side 26B joined by a cross member 24 generally passing
substantially beneath the upper elements 42A, 42B of the
respectively first and second sides 26A, 26B on which a seat (not
shown) can be attached, typically using mechanical fastening means
(not shown) such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, straps, or
other means supporting a seat cushion (not shown) or other seating
element. Thus, the cross member 24 generally passes beneath the
typical locus of a seat.
[0072] A foot rest 44 may be attached to a foot support element 46
connected to first and second sides 26A, 26B by descending supports
48A, 48B, which can be generally vertical structural elements
descending from upper portions of the frame to provide support for
the foot rest 44 or associated lower members. A leg restrainer 52
such as a flexible member made from cloth or other flexible
elements may be connected to the descending supports 48A, 48B at a
vertical elevation above the foot rest 44. In this embodiment, the
forward edge of the foot rest 44 and the foot support element 46
are substantially remote from the forward wheel 68, with a space
therebetween that can be, for example, at least about 20 cm. In
other words, a clearance of at least 20 cm extends between the foot
rest 44 and the forward wheel 68.
[0073] A forward wheel assembly 60 is connected to the frame 22 via
a forward wheel support 76 extending forward from the first side
26A of the frame 22, unlike the second side 26B of the frame 22
which does not have a similar forward extending element connected
to the forward wheel assembly 60. Rather, a gap 84 is defined by
the space in the asymmetric forward opening 138 between the front
86 of the second side 26B of the wheelchair 20 and the forward
wheel assembly 60, providing a space for ease of entry or exit of a
user into and out of the wheelchair 20. The length of the gap 84
may be, for example, at least about 20 cm, 30 cm, 50 cm, 70 cm, or
80 cm, such as from about 20 cm to about 100 cm or from 35 cm to 85
cm.
[0074] The asymmetric forward wheel support 76 in the embodiment
pictured comprises an upper beam 80 and a lower beam 78 both joined
to descending supports 48A. The asymmetric forward wheel support 76
projects forward from the first side 26A of the wheelchair and may
extend laterally inward toward the longitudinal centerline 90 of
the wheelchair.
[0075] The forward wheel assembly 60 comprises a caster 64 having a
wheel 68 mounted between two opposing forks 66A, 66B. The wheel 68
has an outer layer 70 such as rubber or other suitable material, a
hub 88, and an axle 72 that engages with the forks 66A, 66B of the
caster 64, and retained in place by locking nuts 86 or other means.
(Of course, the caster 64 shown here is by way of example only, for
many other forms are possible for the forward wheel assembly 60,
including versions without opposing forks 66A, 66B or with more
than one wheel 68, as well as versions with many variations in
shape and size, etc.) The caster 64 is connected to the forward
wheel support 76 to form a pivot joint 92. In this case, a pivot
rod 94 extends upward from the caster 64 and is received by a
mounting element 62. Bearings, lubrication means, retaining means,
shock absorption elements, and other elements known for casters 64
are not shown but are well known in the art and may be applied, as
desired.
[0076] In some embodiments, the pivot axis 74 may pass through or
be near to the longitudinal central axis 90 of the wheelchair 20,
or may be offset toward the first or second sides 26A, 26B. The
forward wheel assembly 60 may be symmetrically positioned with
respect to the seat (not shown) and drive wheels 30A, 30B, but the
wheelchair 20 itself in that case is asymmetric due to the
asymmetric placement of the forward wheel support 76, which extends
along only one side of the wheelchair 20 in the space between the
forward wheel assembly 60 and the front 86 of the side 26B of the
wheelchair 20 opposite to the side 26A along which the forward
wheel support 76 primarily extends forward.
[0077] The frame 22 may further comprise additional elements such
as a rear cross member 108 bridging opposing vertical members 110A,
110B, each joined to the other structural elements of the frame 22
such as the lower elements 40A, 40B respectively of the first and
second sides 26A, 26B. The opposing vertical members 110A, 110B may
serve to support a backrest, handles (not shown) for pushing the
wheelchair 20, a backpack (not shown) or other additions.
[0078] The drive wheel assemblies 32A, 32B shown in FIG. 1 are
attached to the lower elements 40A, 40B of the frame, and are
depicted as clamp-on elements holding the axle tube 34, which can
be any element or elements for receiving axles 38A, 38B of the
drive wheels 30A, 30B, including individual camber tubes (not
shown). The drive wheel assemblies 32A, 32B may be formed with,
built in, or, in general, unitary with the respective first and
second sides 26A, 26B of the frame 26, or may be separate elements
that can be readily attached and removed. Many alternative
configurations may be considered, including axle plates (not shown)
and other devices known in the art for attaching wheels 30A, 30B to
a wheelchair 20.
[0079] The drive wheels 30A, 30B can be of any known configuration,
such as the depicted versions which include drive wheel hubs 36A,
36B from which spokes 102 extend to a rim 106, which is joined to
an outer layer 104 that may comprise rubber or other compliant
materials. The drive wheels 30A, 30B can have any suitable width,
diameter, tread type, tread material, and interior structure,
including air-filled, foam-filled, solid, liquid-filled, and the
like. The diameter, for example, may be about 4 inches or greater,
about 5 inches or greater, or about 6 inches or greater.
[0080] In alternative embodiments, the axle tube 34 may be replaced
by separate axle tubes (not shown) on each side of the frame 22,
though an axle tube 34 as shown or other member (not shown) joining
the first and second sides 26A, 26B of the frame 22 can add
stability and strength to the frame 22.
[0081] The dimensions of the wheelchair 20 can be varied to meet
the needs of individual users or to meet other design and usage
considerations. In some embodiments, the extend of the clearance
and the locations of various components of the wheelchair can be
optimized to provide for convenient movement in and out of the
wheelchair with respect to the ground, chair, a sofa, a bench, an
automobile, a bed, or other objects and devices (not shown).
Several considerations may come into play in selecting useful
dimensions. In some embodiments, for example, if the forward wheel
assembly 60 comprises a caster 64, as it does in the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, then when the caster 64 is trailing the pivot axis
74 (typical for generally forward motion of the wheelchair 20),
sufficient clearance between the caster 64 and the foot support
element 64 or main body of the frame 22 may be provided to allow
both feet (not shown) of a user (not shown) to passively pivot on
the ground surface when the user is transferring into or out of the
wheelchair 20. For example, for a user with a shoe (not shown)
length of 30 cm (or, more generally, a length of "SL"), for
example, the clearance 112 between the rear of the caster 64 and
the foot support element 46 or the foot rest 44 itself, whichever
is foremost, may be at least about 24 cm (or, more generally, at
least about 0.8 SL). When the caster 64 is oriented away from the
frame 22 in the orientation generally assumed when the wheelchair
20 is moving backward, the clearance 112 between the caster 64 and
the foot support element 46 may be 36 cm or greater (or, more
generally, at least about 1.2 SL). Similar clearance lengths may be
realized for the clearance between the front 86 of the second side
26B and the rearmost portion of the caster 64.
[0082] The dimensions of the wheelchair 20 may also be adapted such
a user sitting in the wheelchair 20 may be able to reach far enough
forward to be able to turn a door knob or similar handle (not
shown) and also be able to push or pull a door (not shown) open or
closed. As a general guideline for this scenario, assuming the user
is able to lean his/her body forward enough to bring the shoulders
above the front edge of the seat (not shown) or the beyond the
front 86 of the second side 26B of the wheelchair 20, the distance
from the front edge of the seat or the front 86 of the second side
26B of the wheelchair 20 to the vertical pivot axis 74 of the
caster may be roughly equal to the distance from the user's
shoulder joint to the wrist (or may be roughly equal to that
distance plus or minus about 20%). The length of the hand (not
shown) may then extend longitudinal in front of the pivot axis 74
to allow the user to operate a door knob or similar handle. For
example, for a user with a shoulder-to-wrist length of about 56 cm
and a hand length of about 20 cm, a distance from the front edge of
a seat cushion (not shown) to pivot axis 74 of about 55 cm may, for
example, be useful in allowing the user to readily operate door
handles or other devices while in the wheelchair 20.
[0083] FIG. 2 depicts a simplified asymmetrical wheelchair 120
showing selected elements to illustrate various embodiments. Here
and in other figures, identical numbers depict related elements.
Thus, as in FIG. 1, the simplified wheelchair comprises a frame 22
having a first side 26A and an opposing second side 26B, a forward
wheel support 76 extending asymmetrically from one side, here the
first side 26A, and connected also to a forward wheel assembly 60
comprising a wheel 68 held in a caster 64 or other pivotable
configuration, here shown with locking nuts 96 retaining the wheel
60 within the body of the caster 64, the caster 64 also having a
pivot rod 94 that engages with a mounting element 62 at the forward
end of the forward wheel support 76 in a pivotable relationship,
such that the caster 94 can freely swivel during forward or reverse
motion of the wheelchair 120. The wheelchair 120 also comprises
opposing drive wheels 30A, 30B which are not shown except as
phantom lines for simplicity.
[0084] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the first and second
sides 26A, 26B are depicted as comprising relatively solid first
and second side members 126A, 126B instead of relatively open
beams. Such side members 126A, 126B could be, for example,
composite panels, molded reinforced plastic, honeycomb panels of
metal or other materials, and the like, or covered beams or other
structural elements.
[0085] A seat 98 is shown comprising a cushion 100 in a cutaway
view to reveal an underlying cross panel 124 which serve, for
example, as both a cross member structurally similar to cross
member 24 of FIG. 1, and/or as a seat support to retain the cushion
100. If the purpose of the cross panel 124 is primarily to support
the cushion 100, then an additional cross-beam (not shown) may be
needed underneath the cross panel 124.
[0086] The side members 126A, 126B are connected to respective
drive wheel assemblies 32A, 32B for engaging drives wheels 30A,
30B, respectively. The drive wheel assembly 32A for the first side
member 126A is depicted as having an annual axis plate 130A with
connecting pins 134A for releasably engaging the axle (not shown)
of the drive wheel 30A. The corresponding components of the drive
wheel assembly 32B of the second side member 126B are not shown for
simplicity. The hubs 36A, 36B of the drive wheels 30A, 30B can be
aligned along a common drive wheel axis 136, as shown.
[0087] The forward wheel assembly 60 may be positioned along the
longitudinal centerline 90 of the simplified wheelchair 120, or in
other words, a vertical plane passing through the longitudinal
centerline 90 will intersect the forward wheel assembly 60. The
pivot axis 74 of the forward wheel assembly 60 may then intersect a
longitudinal centerline 90 passing, for example, through the cross
panel 124 as depicted. While the angle of intersection of the pivot
axis 74 and the horizontal longitudinal centerline 90 is shown to
be approximately 90 degrees, it need not be 90 degrees. The pivot
74 axis can be offset from vertical as desired. For example, the
pivot axis 74 may tilt toward the seat 98 to define an angle
relative to vertical of from about 0 to about 45 degrees, such as
from about 5 degrees to about 40 degrees or from about 10 degrees
to about 30 degrees.
[0088] As in FIG. 1, the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 provides a
clearance between the forward wheel support 60 and the front 86 of
the second side member 126B of the wheelchair 120 defining a
substantial asymmetric forward opening 138. The asymmetric forward
opening 138 can be useful in facilitating ease of entry and exit
for a user (not shown).
[0089] The simplified wheelchair 120 is not shown with a variety of
elements that can be added as desired, such as a footrest (not
shown) and back support (not shown).
[0090] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of one embodiment of an asymmetric
wheelchair 120 with a forward wheel assembly 60 connected to one
side of a frame 22. The wheelchair 120 is similar to that shown in
FIG. 2, but also has a back support 142 that was not shown in FIG.
2 for clarity. A frame 22 has a first side 26A and a second side
26B each connected to first and second drives wheels 30A, 30B,
respectively, via axles 38A, 38B extending from the drive wheel
hubs 36A, 36B, respectively, to engage an axle tube 34 or related
drive wheel assemblies (not shown). The drive wheels 30A, 30B may
comprise push rims 140A, 140B, respectively, which are external
rims attached via push rim mounts 146 to the wheels 30A, 30B for
more convenient manual pushing and control of motion. The axle tube
34 could be a camber tube (though essentially zero camber is
depicted) if desired. An axle tube 34 need not rigidly join the
first and second sides 26A, 26B and is optional in various
embodiments. First and second sides 26A, 26B are joined by a cross
member 24 and optionally may be further joined by a rear cross
member 108. Above the cross member 24 is a seat 98 attached to the
frame 22 and comprising a cushion 100. A back support 142 may also
be attached to the rear of the frame 22 or to the seat 98. Toward
the front of the frame, a foot support 44 may be attached to the
first and second sides 26A, 26B by descending supports 48A, 48B,
respectively.
[0091] Extending forward from the first side 26A of the frame 22, a
forward wheel support 76 is connected to a mounting member 62 that
is attached to a pivotable forward wheel assembly 60. The mounting
member 62 may be unitary with the forward wheel support 76 and may
form its foremost element. The forward wheel assembly 60 comprises
a caster 64 having a wheel 68 (there may be more than one wheel
68). The caster 64 is generally understood to be a swivel caster
64, though it should be understood that a forward wheel assembly 60
with a wheel 68 that cannot pivot is not necessarily outside the
scope of certain embodiments of the invention as defined by the
claims.
[0092] In the top view presented in FIG. 3, the asymmetric
clearances provided by the asymmetric wheelchair can be readily
observed. While forward wheel support 76 provides some degree of
obstruction on the first side 156A of the wheelchair 120, on the
opposing second side 156B the space between the front 86 of the
second side 26B of the frame 22 and the forward wheel support 60 is
relatively unobstructed, defining an asymmetric forward opening
138. The unobstructed space has a length of L2 as shown. The
unobstructed space along the horizontal longitudinal centerline 90
between the food support 44 and the forward wheel support 60 (which
is not necessarily centered on the horizontal longitudinal
centerline 90 but is so depicted in FIG. 3) has a length of L1 as
shown. Also shown is L3, the distance from the second side
longitudinal axis 160 extending forward from the inner edge of the
second side 26B of the frame to the longitudinal centerline 90, and
L4, the distance from the second side longitudinal axis 160 and the
forward wheel assembly 60 when it is oriented in the normal
direction for forward motion of the wheelchair 120. L5 is the
distance from the second side longitudinal axis 160 to the center
of the mounting element 62. A reference dimension for
characterizing other dimensions in relative terms is the
characteristic width W between the inner surfaces of the first and
second sides 26A, 26B of the frame 22, generally corresponding to
the maximum width of a rectangular seat 98 that can be accommodated
in the wheelchair 120. When the forward wheel assembly 60 is
centered, L5 should normally be 0.5 W, for example.
[0093] Dimensions L1 and L2 can be useful is characterizing the
clearances provided by the novel asymmetric design of the
wheelchair. L1, for example, can be greater than about 0.4 W, and
may range from about 0.5 W to about 2 W or from about 0.7 W to
about 1.8 W. L2, also by way of example, can be greater than about
0.5 W, and may range from about 0.6 W to about 2.4 W or from about
0.7 W to about 2 W, or from about 0.8 W to about 1.5 W. When the
forward wheel assembly 60 lies on the horizontal centerline 90, L4
should be less than 0.5 W, but offset locations may also be
contemplated. L4 may, for example, range from about 0.2 W to about
0.8 W, or from about 0.3 W to about 0.7 W. L4 can also range from
about 0.1 W to about 0.5 W, or from about 0.2 W to about 0.45 W, or
from about 0.2 W to about 0.4 W. While L5 will be approximately 0.5
W in many embodiments, it can take on other values. At one extreme,
a value of about 1 W can be considered. In other embodiments, L5
can range from about 0.2 W to about 0.8 W, or from about 0.3 W to
about 0.7 W, or from about 0.4 W to about 0.6 W. W itself may range
from about 30 cm to about 100 cm, such as from about 40c m to about
80 cm.
[0094] FIG. 4 depicts a wheelchair 120 related to that of FIG. 3
but with an alternative layout for the forward wheel support 76 in
which the forward wheel support 76 includes a transverse cantilever
support 150 that begins at the second side 26B of the frame 22 and
then extends beneath the plane of the seat 98 toward the first side
26A of the frame 22, and from that side then extends forward to
support a forward wheel assembly 60 and define an asymmetric
opening toward the front of the wheelchair 60. The effect, in terms
of providing clearance for convenience moving in and out of the
wheelchair, is similar to that for the embodiments of FIGS. 1
through 3, but depicts an alternative structure that still provides
asymmetry and broad clearances. This embodiment shows that the
forward wheel support 76 can extend from any of several locations
on the wheelchair frame 22. In spite of the numerous possibilities
for how the forward wheel support 76 is attached to the frame 22
from one or more attachment points, the forward wheel support 76
should be substantially asymmetric such that an asymmetric forward
opening 138 is defined. Note that the forward wheel support 76
could also have been further attached to the first side 26A of the
frame 22 as well without interfering with the asymmetry of the
wheelchair 120 or without interfering with the breadth of the
asymmetric forward opening 138. (In some embodiments, however, it
may be desirable that forward wheel support 76 is attached to
portions of only one side of the frame 22.)
[0095] FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of an asymmetric
wheelchair 220 with a portion of the frame based in part upon the
generally symmetric frame discussed in WO/1998/016182, published
Apr. 23, 1998 by J. Roche, herein incorporated by reference to the
extent that it is noncontradictory herewith. See particularly FIG.
1 of the Roche patent application. As adapted to illustrate several
present embodiments, the asymmetric wheelchair 220 of FIG. 5
comprises a frame 22 with a cross member 24 and a rear connection
beam 154 each connecting a first side 26A to a second side 26B. The
frame 22 further comprises descending supports 48A, 48B descending
respectively from the first and second sides 26A, 26B and connected
to a foot support element 46 spanning the first and second sides
26A, 26B and attached to a foot rest 44. The frame 22 also supports
an axle tube 34 connected to the first and second sides 26A, 26B
for supporting first and second drive wheels 30A, 30B in
cooperation with drive wheel assemblies 32A, 32B (not shown),
respectively, that receive drive wheel axles 38A, 38B,
respectively. Rising from the rear of the first and second sides
26A, 26B are first and second vertical members 110A, 110B,
connected to the frame 22 via brackets 164A, 164B and joined to one
another by a rear cross member 108. The vertical members 110A, 110B
may further support other elements that are not shown, such as
handles for pushing, a padded back support, lights, bags, control
systems and electronics for motorized elements, etc.
[0096] The axle tube 34 is connected to drive wheel assemblies 32A,
32B (not shown) that rigidly hold the axle tube 34 and/or the axles
38A, 38B in place, while optionally permitting rapid release and
attachment of drive wheels 30A, 30B. A wide variety of mechanisms
are known in the art for releasably locking a drive wheel axle 38A,
38B in place in a wheelchair 220 or related wheeled device.
[0097] A forward wheel support 76 extends from a first side 26A of
the frame 22, and in the embodiment shown is attached to the first
descending support 48A with an upper adjustable attachment 170 and
a lower adjustable attachment 172, each comprising releases 174,
176, respectively, which can be depressed or otherwise activated to
unlock the upper and lower upper adjustable attachments 170,172, to
remove the forward wheel support 76 is desired or to adjust the
position thereof. The adjustable attachments 170,172 may be locking
hinges, for example, or known rigid attachment and release devices
such as snap-on attachments, clamps, and the like. Belts, ties,
straps, and other fastening elements may also be used, as desired.
Bolts (not shown) or other attachment means may be used to secure
the adjustable attachments 170, 172 to the frame 22.
[0098] The forward wheel support 76 comprises an upper beam 80, a
lower beam 78, and a reinforcing member 180 joining the upper beam
to the lower beam 78, and is connected to the forward wheel
assembly 60 comprising a mounting element 62 and a caster 64 with
opposing forks 66A, 66B supporting a forward wheel 68.
[0099] The frame 22 is also connected to two opposing conventional
casters 182A, 182B attached to the first and second sides 26A, 26B,
respectively, and more specifically attached to the first and
second descending supports 48A, 48B, respectively. The conventional
casters 182A, 182B can serve as forward casters when the forward
wheel assembly 60 is removed (i.e., by detaching the forward wheel
support 76 using the adjustable attachments 170, 172. They can also
function when the forward wheel assembly 60 is in place, or
alternatively can be removed or may be held slightly above the
surface of the ground when the forward wheel assembly 60 is in
place such that they do not bear weight during use.
[0100] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the asymmetric wheelchair
220 may be converted as desired to function as a substantially
symmetric wheelchair with opposing conventional casters 182A, 182B
or may function as an asymmetric wheelchair when the forward wheel
support 76 and the forward wheel assembly 60 are in place. In one
related embodiment, a conventional symmetric wheelchair may be
converted to an asymmetric wheelchair 220 by attaching a forward
wheel support 76 and attached forward wheel assembly 60 to the
frame 22, providing the benefits of a forward wheel 68 without the
barriers to access provided by symmetric supports therefor.
[0101] FIG. 6 depicts an asymmetric wheelchair 320 comprising a
frame 22 having first and second sides 26A, 26B comprising shaped
side members 126A, 126B respectively, joined by a cross member 24
and a rear cross beam 154. A first rotating hinge 176 joins the
first side member 126A to a forward wheel support 76 that holds a
forward wheel assembly 60 comprising a caster 64 holding a forward
wheel 68. Since there is no support means directly extending from
the second side 26B of the frame 22, the wheelchair 320 is
asymmetric and maintains an open area between the second shaped
side member 128B and the forward wheel assembly 60. The first
rotating hinge 176 that holds the forward wheel support 76 can lock
into place as shown to hold the forward wheel assembly 60, or can
be rotated in the direction of arrow 192 to fold the asymmetric
wheelchair 320 into a more compact volume with the forward wheel
assembly 60 in a collapsed position (not shown) adjacent the lower
side of the cross member 24 or the lower side of the rear
connection beam 154, beneath the seat (not shown).
[0102] Descending below the front portion of the second shaped side
member 126B is a descending support 48 attached to a foot support
44. The descending support 48 is rotatably attached to the second
shaped side member 126B by a second rotating hinge 178, which can
rotate in the direction shown by arrow 190 to bring the foot
support up into a collapsed position beneath the cross member 24
and the rear connection beam 154, where it can also be proximal to
the forward wheel support 76 and the forward wheel assembly 60 when
they are in a collapsed state also, thus allowing the asymmetric
wheelchair 320 to be collapsed into a company volume for ease of
transport or storage. The wheels 30A, 30B and optionally their
axles 38A, 38B, respectively, can also be detached from the first
and second shaped side members, 126A, 126B, respectively, for
storage or transport.
[0103] FIG. 7 depicts a portion of a forward wheel assembly 60
having a mounting element 62 pivotably connected to a caster 64
having opposing forks 66A, 66B that receive the axle 72 of a
forward wheel 68, the axle 72 being retained by locking nuts 96.
The mounting element 62 comprises a hollow body 340 with an upper
chamber 342 and a lower chamber 346, with a finely threaded pivot
rod 92 within the mounting element. The pivot rod 92 is held in
place in the upper chamber 342 by an upper support 350 having a
ball bearing element 352 to reduce friction as the pivot rod 92
rotates. A nut 356 and washer 358 hold the pivot rod 92 in place.
The upper chamber 342 is closed with a removable cap 344 at the top
of the mounting element 62. In the lower chamber 346, the pivot rod
92 is also held in place with a lower support 390 in cooperation
with a ball bearing element 392 to permit low-friction rotation of
the pivot rod 92 with respect to the mounting element 62.
[0104] To reduce caster flutter or other instabilities, viscous
damping grease (not shown) can be packed into the interior of the
mounting element 62, particularly in the lower chamber 346. As
shown in the depicted embodiment, further damping of flutter or
other instabilities may be achieved by adding a stack of bushings
360 in contact with the pivot rod 92. The bushings 360 may be
stainless steel, for example, or other suitable materials, and may
be packed with viscous damping grease (not shown). A lower internal
nut 398 holds the bushings 360 in place.
[0105] External to the body of the mounting element 62, a first
external nut 364 and first external washer 366 receive the pivot
rod 92 and help separate it from the upper body 380 of the caster
64. The pivot rod 92 is attached to the upper body 380 of the
caster 64, being retained between the first external nut 366 and a
second external nut 374 on the lower side of the upper body 380 of
the caster 64, with a second external washer 376 between the second
external nut 374 and the upper body 380 of the caster.
[0106] The embodiment shown has been tested experimentally and has
been found to be useful in reducing caster flutter at elevated
speeds. Other known systems can be employed to add resistance to
the turning of the pivot rod 92 relative to the mounting element 62
to reduce the risk of caster flutter.
[0107] FIGS. 8-16 show various aspects of the present invention
illustrating some embodiments in which an asymmetrical wheel chair
is formed by adding an asymmetric forward wheel support to a
forward portion of a wheelchair frame designed to employ two
forward wheels, such as a substantially symmetric wheelchair well
known in the art. "Substantially symmetric" as used herein refers
to the placement of the major structural elements, particular the
wheels, and indicates that wheelchair was designed for use with
opposing right and left front wheel and typically opposing right
and left rear wheels, with the left and right sides largely being
mirror images of one another about a longitudinal central vertical
plane of the wheelchair. The addition of design features or other
minor elements that add some degree of asymmetry to the wheelchair
generally do not obviate the fact that the basic structure of the
frame of typical wheelchairs in the art is substantially
symmetric.
[0108] FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the
asymmetric wheelchair 420 comprising a symmetrical wheelchair frame
22 designated as the "primary frame" 422 to denote the frame
structure before the asymmetric elements of the present invention
are added. Attached to the primary frame 422 is an added removable
forward wheel support 76 having a first end portion 476A joined to
a descending support 48A (a substantially vertical frame member of
the primary frame 422) on a first side 26A with an adjustable
attachment 170 comprising an articulation block 470 and a
quick-release clamp 472. The axle for the opposing rear wheels 30A,
30B is not shown. Opposing front conventional casters 182A, 182B
(e.g., the forward wheels of typical wheelchairs known in the art)
are attached to descending supports 48A, 48B of the primary frame
422. (The term "conventional casters" as used in this context
refers to opposing symmetric casters such as the forward wheels of
conventional wheelchairs, and should not be understood to exclude
any suitable known wheels that could be used in combination with
the asymmetric elements of the invention as claimed.)
[0109] The forward wheel assembly 60 comprises a caster 64 with
opposing forks 66A, 66B holding a wheel 68, an axle 72, a hub 88.
The opposing forks 66A, 66B are attached to a pivot rod 94 which
can pivot in a mounting element 62. In this embodiment, the caster
64 is attached to a second end portion 476B of the forward wheel
support 76 with a caster mounting block 444 that receives both the
mounting element 62 of the caster 64 and the forward wheel support
76. The mounting block 444 may be adjustable and may comprise quick
release clamps (not shown), set screws, or other means for
adjustably securing the caster 64 to the forward wheel support
76.
[0110] In this embodiment, the forward edge of the foot rest 44 and
the foot support element 46 are substantially remote from the
forward wheel 68, with a space therebetween that can be, for
example, at least 20 cm or at least 30 cm. In general, in related
embodiments, the foot rest 44 is connected to the primary frame 422
and not directly connected to the forward wheel assembly 60. In
alternate embodiments (not shown), if desired, the foot rest 44 may
be attached to the forward wheel assembly 60. However, when it is
connected to the primary frame 422 as shown, the gap between it and
the forward wheel 68 can, in some embodiments, provide improved
ease of moving in and out of the wheelchair 420.
[0111] In the embodiment shown, the asymmetric wheelchair 420 has
been rolled onto an optional short ramp 434 that elevates the
conventional casters 182A, 182B of the primary frame 422 relative
to the drive wheels 30A, 30B such that the wheel 68 of the forward
wheel assembly 60 will be elevated above the ground 428 when
attached, leaving a gap G above the ground 428. When the primary
frame 422 is positioned on the short ramp 434 as shown, the forward
wheel assembly 60 can be attached or detached from the primary
frame 422 while only the conventional casters 182A, 182B and the
drive wheels 30A, 30B bear any load, making it more convenient to
attach, detach, and adjust the forward wheel support 76 and the
forward wheel assembly 60.
[0112] In this and in several other embodiments, this forward wheel
support 76 is curved but when properly positioned, remains
substantially parallel to the ground across its length.
[0113] FIGS. 9A and 9B show two perspective views of the adjustable
attachment 170 of FIG. 8 that connects the forward wheel support 76
to the primary frame 422, and in particular to a descending support
48A of the primary frame 422. The adjustable attachment 170 in this
embodiment comprises an articulation block 470 that can be
permanently or removably attached to the primary frame 422 (e.g.,
it may be welded on or bolted on). The articulation block 470 has a
first opening 480 for receiving a first end portion 476A (e.g., a
tubular end portion) of the forward wheel support 76. A first ring
478 (e.g., an indexing collar) is attached to the first end portion
476A for engaging with the articulation block 470 in a
predetermined manner. The first end portion 476A is firmly secured
in the articulation block 470 with the aid of clamping pressure
provided by the quick-release clamp 472.
[0114] The articulation block comprises a second receptacle 482 for
receiving a portion of the primary frame 422, in this case a
tubular member 448 of the descending support 48A. Visible in FIG.
9B are bolts 496 providing clamping pressure to securely restrain
the articulation block 470 on the primary frame 422, though it is
understand that other removable or permanent means (not shown) may
be used, including welding, the use of quick release clamps,
screws, etc. A second ring 488 (e.g., an indexing collar) on the
tubular member 448 of the primary frame 422 may be used to assist
in setting the position of the articulation block 470 and/or in
securing the articulation block 470 to the primary frame 422. An
optional gripping element 502 such as a rubber sleeve or other high
friction material may be used between the tubular member 448 of the
descending support 48A and the articulation block 470 (or may be
integral with either) to reduce the risk of slipping of the
articulation block 470 relative to the tubular member 448.
[0115] Also shown below the articulation block 470 in these
perspectives are the support beam 450 for the conventional caster
182A, whose mounting element 452 is joined to the support beam 450.
Other known configurations for conventional casters attached to a
primary frame 422 may be used.
[0116] In FIG. 10, a portion of the wheelchair 420 is shown in
perspective view with the forward wheel support 76 detached from
the adjustable attachment 170 to show how the first end portion
476A (here a tubular end portion) of the forward wheel support 76
engages with the first receptacle 480 of the articulation block 470
of the adjustable attachment 170. A pin receptacle 492 in the
articulation block is adapted to receive an indexing pin 490
projecting from the first ring 478 secured to the forward wheel
support 76. The indexing pin 490, when engaged within the pin
receptacle 492, prevents the tubular first end portion 476A of the
forward wheel support 76 from rotating within the first receptacle
480. Other means (not shown) can be used to prevent unwanted
rotation of the forward wheel support 76, including set screws, the
use of non-circular engaging elements (e.g., the first end portion
476A could have a square or other non-circular cross-section
corresponding to a similar non-circular cross-section of the first
receptacle 480), etc. In one version, an optional gripping element
502 comprising elastomeric material or other high friction material
may be present between the contacting surfaces to provide enhanced
grip. For example, the gripping element 502 may be a rubber sleeve
placed around a portion of the frame 22 that engages the adjustable
attachment 170.
[0117] Also shown in FIG. 10 is an optional support block 436 which
could be used to elevate the forward portion of the wheelchair 420
to allow the forward wheel support 60 to be installed or adjusted
in position without bearing load during the process. After removal
of the block, the forward wheel 68 of the forward wheel support 60
would bear the forward load of the wheelchair 420, and the
conventional casters 182A, 182B could be elevated and no-longer
load bearing or could also be load bearing, if desired. The caster
mounting block 444 shown in this embodiment secures the caster 64
of the forward wheel assembly 60 to the forward wheel support 76.
It may use mechanisms similar to those of the articulation block
470, including bolts and/or quick release clamps (not shown) if
desired.
[0118] FIG. 11 shows the asymmetric wheelchair 420 with the forward
wheel support 60 in a stored position under the seat 98. To reach
this configuration, the forward wheel support 76 was detached from
the articulation block 470 and the first end portion 476A thereof
was reconnected to the back side of the first receptacle 480 of
FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10. The articulation block 470 may need to be
rotated relative to the descending support 48A of the primary frame
422.
[0119] FIG. 12 shows an asymmetric wheelchair 420 similar to that
of FIG. 8 but with an alternative construction of the caster
mounting block 444 in which a receiving element 446 is directly
attached to the mounting element 62 of the forward wheel assembly
60. The receiving element 446, here depicted in the form of an open
cylinder, receives the second end portion 476B of the forward wheel
support 76. The second end portion 476B of the forward wheel
support 76 may be further secured and/or made adjustable by various
means (not shown) cooperating with or integral to the receiving
element 446 such as set screws, clamps, indexing pins, and the
like.
[0120] FIG. 13 shows an alternate configuration for the adjustable
attachment 170 similar to that of FIGS. 9A and 9B but in which the
articulation block 470 further comprises two opposing mounting
plates 496A, 496B that are adjustably secured in desired
orientations with bolts 498 or other known attachment means. In
this manner the orientation of the forward wheel support 76
relative to the frame can be adjusted to raise or lower the forward
wheel 68 (not shown) as desired. It is to be understood that many
other details for attachment, adjustment, release, and other
operations of the adjustable attachment 170 may be made without
departing from the scope of the invention as claimed, and that
additional attachment arms and attachment assemblies may be
present, as desired, also without departing from the scope of the
invention as claimed.
[0121] FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the asymmetric
wheelchair 420 similar to that of FIG. 8 but in which alternate
configurations are shown for the adjustable attachment 170 and the
caster mounting block 444. The caster mounting block 444 has a
receiving element 446 for receiving the forward wheel support 76. A
rotatable locking element 462 allows the position of the receiving
element 446 and the forward wheel support 76 to be adjusted
relative to the caster 64. In the adjustable attachment 170
attached to the frame 22, the articulation block 470 as shown
receives a non-circular first end portion 476A of the forward wheel
support 76 that engages with a mating receptacle 480 of the
articulation block 470.
Further Detailed Description
[0122] The use of a primary frame from a conventional or
substantially symmetric wheelchair with an attachable forward wheel
support to provide an asymmetric wheelchair of the present
invention may support a variety of benefits, though not all
benefits need to be achieved to still be within the scope of the
invention as claimed. In some embodiments, the attachable forward
support can be adapted for easy storage under the chair of the
wheelchair or elsewhere on or adjacent the wheelchair (e.g., in a
bag) to make it easy to convert from a substantially symmetric
wheelchair to an asymmetric wheelchair when desired. In some
embodiments, the forward wheel assembly added to the primary frame
can be readily positioned at a desired height or at a desired
position lateral position relative to the central vertical
longitudinal plane of the wheelchair. In this manner, the forward
wheel assembly may be disposed substantially centrally or may be to
the right or to the left of the central vertical longitudinal plane
of the wheelchair, as desired. In one embodiment, the relative
position of the forward wheel assembly can be readily adjusted by
the user by the manual application of torque to the forward wheel
assembly to cause rotation within the adjustable attachment
relative to the axis of the member of the primary frame that the
forward wheel support us attached to. Adjustment of the relative
position of the forward wheel support can provide for increased
clearance, when desired, for transfers or other actions with the
wheelchair.
[0123] In some embodiments, the amount of bend in the tubular arm
can be at least equal to (or 10 or more degrees greater than) the
deviation of the wheelchair's "front frame angle" from 90 degrees
with the ground. Thus, if the front approximately vertical frame
members of a primary frame are at an angle of, say, 80 degrees
instead of 90 degrees relative to the plane of the ground, then the
forward wheel support may have an arm with a curvature of about 10
degrees or greater, such as about 15-25 degrees or about 20
degrees. More generally, the forward wheel support may have a bend
corresponding to the deviation of the wheelchair's "front frame
angle" from 90 degrees with the ground plus or minus 5 degrees, or
plus from zero to about 10 degrees.
[0124] If a perfectly straight tubular arm were desired instead,
then the "angular compensation" could be achieved by changing the
angle of either the attachment block or the caster cylinder block.
This could be accomplished by having a block that is adjustable
over a range of useful angles or it could be accomplished by having
a custom "fit kit" consisting of an attachment block or caster
cylinder block machined to a custom angle specific to the user's
wheelchair.
[0125] The forward wheel assembly may have a built-in angle
adjustment, in case the user changes to different sized wheels,
which would alter the angle of the entire wheelchair and therefore
the angle of the caster cylinder. A set screw or bolt can be
loosened to allow the angle to be adjusted in 1 degree
increments.
[0126] In attachable/detachable versions of the asymmetric
wheelchair, one can suitably position the caster cylinder, if
desired, so that it is substantially vertical to resist rotation
and assist in proper forward tracking. Adjustable components in the
attachment mechanisms can assist in such positioning. If the front
frame angle of the wheelchair is perfectly vertical, then no
angular adjustments may be needed to compensate for front frame
angle. However, many wheelchairs have at least 5 degrees of
deviation from the vertical. To compensate for this, it may be
useful to adjust the angle at either: the adjustable attachment
that attaches the forward wheel support to the wheelchair frame,
the mounting block that attaches the forward wheel support to the
caster, the forward wheel support itself, or a combination
thereof.
[0127] The wheelchair may comprise cambered wheels and adjustable
foot supports such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,172,
"Three-Wheeled Competition Wheelchair Having an Adjustable Center
of Mass," issued Jan. 2, 1996 to D. W. James, herein incorporated
by reference to the extent that it is noncontradictory
herewith.
[0128] As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,373, "Molded-Composite
Chassis for a Wheelchair," issued Jun. 14, 1994 to S. A. Robertson
et al., herein incorporated by reference to the extent that it is
noncontradictory herewith, the seat in various embodiments can be
operably associated with means for adjusting the longitudinal
position of the seat relative to the sides of the frame so that the
seat can be located at one of a plurality of different
longitudinally disposed locations relative to the sides of the
frame. It may also be operable associated with means for adjusting
the height and the angle of the seat relative to the frame.
[0129] Caster wheels can be subject to rapid vibration and
instability at high velocity, a phenomenon sometimes called caster
flutter or caster shimmy. Any known remedy may be implemented, if
desired, to increase stability at elevated speed. Such remedies
include dampening mechanisms such as chambers containing viscous
fluid in contact with a portion of a rotating rod that turns with
the caster. Solutions can include the viscous damping technologies
of U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,116, "Damper Including a Viscous Damping
Medium," issued Feb. 21, 1984 to J. C. Schultz; U.S. Pat. No.
7,284,299, "Caster," issued Oct. 23, 2007 to Ruckman et al.; and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,097,954, "Flutter-Resistant Caster," issued Jul. 4,
1978 to C. O. Christensen. In the Christensen patent, U.S. Pat. No.
4,097,954, resilient elements impose a pre-load upon bearing means
to impede fluttering of said caster.
[0130] Regarding the drive wheel assembly for connecting the drive
wheels to the frame, any known system can be used such as those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,247, "Wheelchair Frame," issued
Apr. 25, 1995 to S. A. Robertson and R. Geiger, herein incorporated
by reference to the extent that it is noncontradictory herewith.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,247 describes a wheelchair frame comprising a
pair of side frame assemblies, each of which includes a bottom
member and a seat mounting member that are connected to one
another, each bottom member having a flat upwardly facing surface
at a rear region of the bottom member; a generally U-shaped
mounting block mounted on each bottom member at the rear region of
the bottom member, each mounting block being open upwardly and
having an upwardly facing end surface; drive axle receiving means
mounted on each mounting block for receiving a drive wheel axle,
each drive wheel axle receiving means including a mounting plate
portion and an axle receiving portion, said mounting plate portion
and said axle receiving portion being integral and formed in one
piece, said mounting plate being positioned on the end surface of a
respective mounting block and resting on the upwardly facing flat
surface at the rear region of the bottom member; connection means
for removably connecting said drive axle receiving means to a
respective mounting block to allow the drive axle receiving means
to be disconnected from the respective mounting block so that the
drive axle receiving means and the mounting blocks can be moved
longitudinally along the rear region of the bottom member; and
support means for rigidly connecting said side frame assemblies to
one another, said support means including a cross-bar connected to
each mounting block and extending between the side frame
assemblies. The cross-bar of U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,247 may correspond
to the axle tube described in some embodiments herein.
[0131] Braking systems can also be incorporated, as desired, such
as those of U.S. Pat. No. 6,443,268, "Braking System for a
Wheelchair," issued Sep. 3, 2002 to W. Dearth et al. Hand brakes,
electronic brakes, gears, and the like may be used.
[0132] Rear anti-tip devices may be used that permit wheelie-like
functioning. Power-assisted mechanisms of any suitable kind may be
incorporated.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0133] A wheelchair according to the design generally shown in FIG.
1 was constructed from aluminum tubing using commercial components
for wheels, seats, etc., substantially as shown in FIG. 1. Tubular
aluminum components were welded together for the structural
elements of the frame. A high-viscosity (60,000 cSt) damping fluid
was incorporated in the caster to prevent flutter or "shimmy" at
elevated speeds. Little if any caster flutter has been observed
with the high-viscosity damping fluid in place.
[0134] The forward wheel support was formed from aluminum tubes
that were prepared by roll forming. Two beams were independently
roll formed to impart curvature that would become vertical
curvature in the final wheelchair (beginning from a high elevation
at the connection to the frame and descending to the forward wheel
assembly). Then the curved beams were welded together, being
connected by a vertical cross member and joined to a support member
for attachment to the caster. After being welded together, the
beams were then roll formed again and thereby given curvature
orthogonal to the curvature previously received, such that in the
final wheelchair, the second application of curvature would result
in curvature inward from the first side of the frame toward the
central longitudinal axis of the wheelchair to place the forward
wheel assembly in a substantially central location for good
performance.
[0135] The wheelchair was tested by a male paraplegic having a "T-6
complete" spinal cord injury. This means that the user has no motor
or sensory function below the 6th thoracic vertebra, which in other
words means he has no voluntary control of the muscles in his legs
and the lower half of his torso. The act of transferring from one
seating surface to another (such as from a wheelchair to another
wheelchair or from a wheelchair into an automobile) therefore
depends on the active use of his upper body and the learned control
of the lower body through positioning techniques, as taught the
user by a licensed physical therapist. For example, he has learned
precisely where to place his feet (using arms and hands) relative
to the surface he is transferring into. He has also learned to
control the involuntary spasticity that occurs in his legs (again,
using his arms and hands) so that he can transfer safely. The user
describes his experience with the asymmetric wheelchair during
experimental use as follows: [0136] Learning how to transfer into
and out of the prototype "Asymmetric all-terrain wheelchair" was
very easy, as performing this transfer was not significantly
different compared to transfers into and out of my conventional
"everyday" wheelchair (an Invacare A-4 style or "Terminator
Titanium" wheelchair). [0137] During the period that I have tested
out the prototype wheelchair, I have most frequently performed
transfers to and from my everyday wheelchair on a smooth, level
concrete surface in my garage. These transfers have been very easy
to perform, especially because the two wheelchair seats have nearly
identical elevations and also because it is very easy for me to
position my feet and legs into the space between the footrest and
the forward wheel of the asymmetric wheelchair. [0138] I have also
transferred to and from automobiles on a regular basis, although
not as frequently as the previously mentioned "chair-to-chair"
transfers. Typically, I have transferred into and out of the
drivers' seat of our Nissan Quest minivan, which has a seat at an
elevation approximately 8 inches above the level of the seat of the
asymmetric wheelchair. Since I have an unobstructed opening on the
right side of the wheelchair, this transfer is also relatively easy
to perform. This transfer is somewhat more difficult to perform to
and from the passenger side of the minivan, since it requires me to
lift my legs over the forward structural elements of the
wheelchair. I have also performed numerous driver-side transfers
into and out of my Mitsubishi Eclipse 2-door coupe with relative
ease, including removal of the quick-release wheels and storing the
entire wheelchair frame in the back seat area. [0139] Transfers to
and from the ground are considerably more complicated, but I have
performed them completely unassisted without any significantly
different technique compared to the way in which I transfer to and
from the ground using my conventional "everyday" wheelchair. [0140]
Other surfaces to which I have transferred include: sofas, park
benches, kitchen chairs, and the toilet. [0141] I have used this
wheelchair to traverse/negotiate various types of concrete and
asphalt pavement (smooth, irregular, weathered/cracked), long and
short grasses, wood chips, forest terrain, standing water, ice,
slush, snow, and uphill and downhill surfaces. [0142] Due to its
length, the prototype has moderately decreased maneuverability
indoors, such as in tight bathroom spaces and in restaurants.
However, its length gives it excellent forward stability,
especially for the purpose of traversing irregular outdoor terrain.
The prototype has demonstrated excellent agility and
maneuverability for such activities as performing yard maintenance
(weeding, trimming shrubs, watering trees) and supervising children
at play. [0143] The prototype has performed with a high degree of
reliability at a wide range of speeds. The wheelchair is an
excellent companion to the "Wijit" lever drive system by Superquad,
especially on pavement and gravel. The wheelchair has performed
very well with a range of different tire treads designed for street
use and trails. [0144] The aluminum frame has remained strong with
no broken joints and has exhibited no unwanted flexibility or
movement of one side relative to the other. [0145] While seated in
the prototype wheelchair, my posture is firmly upright and I am
seated securely and comfortably. The wheelchair is not tiresome to
sit in or operate for prolonged periods of outdoor activity. While
in forward motion, I am able to direct my attention forward and
several hundred feet ahead, rather than solely attend to the
surface immediately in front of me. [0146] The wheelchair is
lightweight and does not present a significant increase in rolling
resistance compared to my everyday wheelchair. [0147] I have never
fallen out of this wheelchair. [0148] Depending on the physical
health and condition of the user, transfer in and out of the
wheelchair may be done without assistance. In making a transfer
without assistance, a user, for example, may be seated in a chair
adjacent to the wheelchair. The use may place his or her feet on
the ground between the front of the second side of the wheelchair
and the forward wheel assembly and then using both the frame of the
wheelchair and the edge of the chair for support, transfer weight
to the arms as the body is swung through the clearance and into the
seat of the wheelchair in a simple motion.
Example 2
[0149] An existing four-wheeled substantially symmetrical
wheelchair was modified by removably attaching a forward wheel
support generally following the system shown in FIGS. 8-10.
[0150] The primary frame of the wheelchair used in this example has
a front frame angle of 85 degrees. To provide proper orientation of
the forward wheel assembly from a forward wheel support attached to
the front of the primary frame, the tubular arm of the forward
wheel support was given slightly over 5 degrees of effective bend
(one end relative to the other end). This allows for sufficient
adjustability of the angle of the caster cylinder (which generally
should be at 90 degrees with the ground) by using the bend to
compensate for the wheelchair's front frame angle.
[0151] Further, a 1/8'' thick rubber sleeve was placed over the
front frame tube of the wheelchair, and then secured the frame
clamp of the attachment block around the rubber sleeve. This
affixes the assembly to the wheelchair frame with sufficient
stiffness to prevent it from rotating around the front frame tube
of the wheelchair. Yet with enough force, it allows the user to
swing the assembly inward or outward relative to the wheelchair's
center line. This rubber sleeve also provides some degree of shock
absorption.
[0152] To further improve the stability of the forward wheel
support, an indexing system was created which consists of an
indexing collar, indexing pin, and indexing socket. The purpose of
this indexing system is so that the tubular arm and caster assembly
can be attached and detached by simply tightening or loosening the
quick-release lever on the arm clamp of the attachment block and
sliding the tubular arm into or out of the main socket of the
attachment block, without any need for further adjustment. Also,
this reduces the amount of pressure required by the quick-release
lever/clamp mechanism because all rotational torque of the tubular
arm is prevented by the articulation of the indexing pin within the
indexing socket, provided the indexing collar is sufficiently tight
around the tubular arm. So, this indexing system satisfies the
requirement for proper alignment of the caster cylinder in the
attachable/detachable embodiment of the "asymmetric open-access
wheelchair" invention.
[0153] For the purpose of stowing the assembly under the wheelchair
(below the seat and behind the footrest), the rear side of the
attachment block also accepts the tubular arm, and the
quick-release clamp(s) hold it in place.
[0154] A split shaft-collar can be attached directly above and in
contact with the attachment block and rubber sleeve to prevent
sliding or traveling axially up the front tube of the wheelchair
frame. Without this split shaft-collar, this axial sliding might
occur after several repetitions of moving the assembly inward or
outward about the axis of the front tube of the wheelchair
frame.
[0155] During attaching/detaching, the front end of the wheelchair
should be suitably elevated. In the case of attaching the assembly,
sufficient elevation of the front end of the wheelchair provides
the clearance necessary to be able to fully insert the tubular arm
and indexing pin into their respective sockets. Once attached and
securely clamped, the user can then lower the front end of the
wheelchair onto the ground; all weight that was previously placed
on the wheelchair's existing casters will now be placed on the
caster wheel of the asymmetric attachment. In the case of detaching
the assembly, sufficient elevation of the front end of the
wheelchair relieves the weight placed on the caster wheel of the
asymmetric attachment and provides the clearance necessary to be
able to slide the tubular arm and indexing pin out of their
respective sockets. Once removed, the user can then lower the front
end of the wheelchair onto the ground so the wheelchair's existing
caster wheels bear their normal weight. This process is
accomplished with a platform of sufficient height and strength
(e.g., a ramp, a wooden block, a molded jack stand, or a leveraged
"kickstand" device) which temporarily bears the weight of the front
end of the wheelchair during the attaching/detaching process.
Remarks
[0156] When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the
embodiments thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are
intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The
terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than
the listed elements.
[0157] Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will
be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without
departing from the scope of aspects of the invention as defined in
the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above
compositions, products, and methods without departing from the
scope of aspects of the invention, it is intended that all matter
contained in the above description shall be interpreted as
illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Reference to particular
illustrative embodiments should not be construed as limitations.
The inventive devices, products, and methods can be adapted for
other uses or provided in other forms not explicitly listed above,
and can be modified in numerous ways within the spirit of the
present disclosure. Thus, the present invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiments, but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the claims below.
* * * * *